Friday, June 22, 2012

June 22: Dragon Boat Festival, China

Dragon Boat Festival, China"China: Duan Wu Jie or Tuen Ng, the Dragon Boat Festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month, considered 'evil' and unlucky in Asian culture. In Asian culture, dragons are used to scare away the evil associated with this unlucky date. The festival may have originated to counter this taboo, but it also commemorates the ill-fated rescue attempt of China's favorite patriotic poet, Chu Yuan, who had been exiled by the Emperor Huai from his beloved Chu state during the Warring States period. As the Chu State declined, it was conquered by the powerful Qin State, and the poet was so overcome with despair that he took a large stone into the Miluo River and drowned himself on this day (ca. 277 BC). Unable to save him, the people threw bamboo and mugwort leaves stuffed with cooked rice into the water so that the shrimp, crabs, and other scavenging fish would spare the body of their hero. To commemorate this, people toss sacrifices of rice into the water and eat tzungtzu (zongzi), rice dumplings filled with ham or bean paste and wrapped in bamboo leaves. The boat races on this day attract large crowds. The boats are large canoes, usually highly decorated, with carved dragon heads and tails. The actual date of the festival, now observed around the world, not only varies with the lunar calendar, but may also vary with the location."Source: Earth, Moon and SkyPictured: A boy plays a traditional egg-standing game in Taipei, Taiwan, June 22, 2004. The traditional game is part of the Dragon Boat Festival activities. Legend has it that at noon on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, it is possible to stand eggs on end. Whoever can do this is said to be assured of good luck all year. [Reuters]When east meets west in Dragon Boat Festival in Hong KongDragon Boat Festival: Past and PresentIt's Dragon Boat Festival!Dragon Boat Festival activities expanded

MENU AT VERY TOP OF BLOG

Wilson's Blogmanac, founded on April 26, 2003. Dedicated to the 353 victims of Australia's shame, the SIEVX disaster,
and casualties of poverty and authority worldwide. Public Domain (an explanation is at Wikipedia), Pip Wilson, 2003-2011. But kindly email if you republish. I'm currently launching and promoting the free e-book, 'Microminibliss', for
those interested in my new links directory, Bellingen (Australia), and my Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). (Use Search for that.) So, kindly Google the word 'Microminibliss', and some links will come up, not 25 million in the usual Google manner.